| On page three we compared the decoration on the boards of another Semaine Sainte 1752 (Expertissim) with our 1751 eBay example now here in Comparative Diagram 1, we look at the spine details. Unfornately spines are difficult to scan or photograph at high resolutions, photography faces the same kind of problem as the flat bed scanner, that is depth of field, an expensive macro lens is not well adapted to depth of field problems such as spines, it can focus in the central fleuron but not those closer to the side which are slightly further away from the camera and focus. Good zoom lens can give you a better range in depth of field but isn't great on magnification. Curiously you can get a better high resolution photo with a cell phone camera witch is what I used to make the next diagram. |
| In Comparative Diagram 2, we see a scanned version of the spine compared with a photo adjusted in size to match the scan dimensions. The great surprise was to discover this Douceur palette with birds. Shown below in Comparative diagram 3, this palette is small and not easy to see, however the detail in high resolution is striking. Iconic birds parading around on your bookshelves if you lucky enough to notice them. Both spines are decorated with this palette although decorated somewhat differently otherwise. |
| In Comparative Daigram 4, I have given these new imprints numbers, note that d-95 appears in the same position in both bindings. The small satellite dots and stars are actually a palette that I have shown as d-p-10, in the 1752 binding we can see that this palette actually has 2 dots and 2 stars. |
| At the top of the page we see that the spine of the 1752 Semaine Sainte has been decorated with a fleuron d-21-5, that is also found on the 1751 Semaine Sainte boards, occupying an important position in the inner corners of the dentelle another favored spot for important fleurons. I show it greatly enlarged in Comparative Diagram 5. A single example of any fleuron is rarely perfect, and sometimes it is necessary or advisable to reconstruct or repair the imprint so that a clear picture can be formed of the Type Model |
| In Comparative Diagram 6 we see this same signature fleuron as spine panel/compartment centerpiece on an important Sotheby's example (click here to see more details). Binders will often use the same favorite flueuron to decorate their spines, and these fluerons deserve close study because you will probably also see them on bindings that do not have elaborate dentelle decoration, however armed with your collection of signature fleurons you will still be able to identify these bindings. |
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click here to return to the HOME page. click here to see an INDEX of the 2017 pages. see below links to previous work |
| Even experts are sometimes wrong, before you spend thousands on a book, please do your own research! Just because I say a certain binding can be attributed to le Maitre isn't any kind of guarantee, don't take my word for it, go a step further and get your own proof. In these pages I have provided you with a way of doing just that. |
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